Patrick Vieira continues to wait for the call from Arsène Wenger that could herald his return to Arsenal, but the club's former captain believes he could yet fulfil his short-term ambitions at Internazionale, having appeared surplus to the requirements of José Mourinho before the club's pre-season preparations.

The France midfielder is desperate to play for his country at the World Cup finals in South Africa next summer, having been born on the African continent in Senegal, and he knows that he needs matches at club level in the build-up, something that he struggled for last season. After a frustrating time with injuries he made only 10 Serie A starts and Mourinho, the coach, appeared ready to move him on.

But Vieira has enjoyed the recent rarity of a full pre-season and he took his inclusion in the Inter squad for the Italian Super Cup against Lazio last Saturday in Beijing as a sign that Mourinho had welcomed him back to the fold. Vieira appeared as a substitute in Inter's 2-1 defeat. The Italian FA had decided to stage the showpiece game outside of Italy for the third time in its 22-year history.

Vieira, however, who was a target for Tottenham Hotspur earlier in the transfer window, would give serious consideration to a return to Arsenal. The manager has indicated that he is braced for a busy final few days to the summer transfer window as he procrastinates over a raft of possibilities.

"At the moment no, we are not close to any deals," he said. "We work always but it would be pretentious to say that we sign anyone now before the season starts." Arsenal kick-off at Everton on Saturday.

"I don't see myself returning to a club in England which is playing in mid-table or fighting relegation," Vieira has said. "It's important that I don't make the wrong choice, to show that I am still good enough at international level."

Cesc Fábregas, the Arsenal captain, has heard Barcelona express their admiration for him yet again, with the club's sporting director, Txiki Begiristain, saying it was "possible" for them to make a bid for him. "It depends on how much we want to spend," he said. "If we spend a lot of money, it is possible. We have not asked Arsenal.We do not know how much it will be yet. If the amount is too high, we will not try."

That seems likely to be the case. One Arsenal player who may move to Spain, albeit temporarily, is Fran Merida. Wenger is keen to loan the 19-year-old midfielder out and Levante are among the interested parties.